Published 8:24 am, Wednesday, August 12, 2015

What started as a refreshing jog in the park, turned ugly quick Tuesday afternoon, as a frequent runner reported witnessing a naked man conducting a lewd act on himself at 16th Street Park.

“It made me sick to my stomach,” said jogger Maria Horton as she described the incident.

Horton said just before 5 p.m., a man, described as a Caucasian man in his mid-to-late 30s, exposed himself to Horton, and conducted a lewd act on himself while she ran by.

Horton said she first noticed the man parked in his black late-90s, early 2000s model Pontiac Grand Am, on the east side of the park, parallel to Ennis Street.

Running along the jogging path, Horton initially passed by him. As she made her way around the circular path, Horton said she noticed the man had moved to the park’s south parking lot near the 16th Street pool.

“I ran around where the pool was at and I saw his car,” Horton said.

“He got out and he didn’t have a shirt on. I really didn’t think anything about it until he took a couple more steps away from the car.”

As she passed the car, Horton discovered the man was completely nude and engaged in an obscene act.

“My jaw just dropped, I was so scared. I was the only one walking,” Horton said.

Afraid, Horton said she kept running.

The man reportedly got back in his car and drove off.

Horton said she didn’t have her phone with her so couldn’t take a picture of the license plate of the vehicle.

Horton said the man was tall, medium-built, with blondish-brown hair and facial hair.

“I’m just glad there weren’t any kids out there,” Horton said.

Horton said she called the police as soon as she could. The police are currently investigating the incident and searching for the suspect.

Horton said she has since heard that the same incident happened to a colleague of hers.

Her friend described the man in a black Grand Am as well.

Anyone with information on crime in Plainview and Hale County may contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 293-8477 or 293-TIPS.